Key Takeaways:
- Kiri Te Kanawa, a renowned Māori singer, won the Mobil Song Quest in 1965, which launched her operatic career.
- The Song Quest remains important to Kiri, as it provides a platform for young artists to launch their careers.
- Kiri is dedicated to giving back to others, particularly through her foundation, which supports young singers in the UK and NZ.
- She values family time, especially with her grandson Luther, and enjoys spending Christmas with him.
- Kiri is still active in her life, with upcoming travel plans, gardening, and cooking, despite some health issues.
Introduction to Kiri Te Kanawa’s Life
The nation stood still for the annual event, broadcast live on radio, and at just 21, on stage in Dunedin, the young Māori singer felt as though she had achieved the impossible. She can still recall the magical moment. Kiri’s Song Quest win in 1965 launched her dazzling operatic career. Little did she know that the then-Mobil Song Quest, later the Lexus Song Quest, would make her an overnight star, provide the funds that would take her to England, and mark the beginning of an extraordinary career on the world’s great stages.
The Importance of the Song Quest
That, she says, is why ensuring the Song Quest endures remains so important – its power to launch and support the careers of young artists must be protected. "My career has given me so much, so now the whole idea is to give to others. We all take and we all give, but now, giving is the reason behind everything we do." Kiri’s dedication to the Song Quest is evident in her continued involvement with the event, and she is excited to lend her name and sponsorship to the competition.
Christmas Celebrations
This Christmas, she’ll be giving her time and love to the people she adores the most – little Luther, 7, and his parents, Tom Park (Kiri’s son) and his partner Zeera, who are based in Auckland. But after 55 years of living in the Northern Hemisphere, Kiri – whose daughter Antonia lives in Australia – admits she still finds it strange to be celebrating in the middle of summer. "I just can’t get used to it!" she says. "It never clicks because it’s just not cold enough. In England, it was so wet and miserable that you really did everything you could to make Christmas wonderful."
Family Life and Traditions
Kiri occasionally even joined the late Queen Elizabeth and her family for winter shoots at Sandringham and took part in their traditional church services. "They were wonderful times," reflects Kiri. "I do miss our Christmases in England and those other wonderful experiences." Her answer now she’s Downunder? A mid-winter celebration in August. "Usually, I have 10 or 12 people to stay, and we have the turkey and all of that. We put the Christmas lights and the tree up, and it all feels very festive." Kiri will again make sure the halls are decked for Luther’s arrival later this month.
Life as a Grandmother
It was Luther who drew Kiri and her husband back to New Zealand permanently. Experiencing the excitement through his eyes has brought back the magic for her and husband Kevin, who is deeply private and has always gracefully side-stepped the limelight despite his wife’s fame. They take their roles as grandparents seriously – so much so that it was Luther who drew them back to New Zealand permanently. Kiri explains, "we’re the only extended family he has, so it’s important to us that we’re in his life. We hope we can make a difference in some way".
Kiri’s Health and Upcoming Plans
Before Christmas rolls around, Kiri has a date with a surgeon. In typical fashion, she doesn’t want to dwell on the pain that has become increasingly burdensome this year, but she is joining what she calls "the hip club" – with a hip replacement scheduled for mid-December. She blames "all those stage hours" for the aches and pains that have already seen both knees replaced, but she’s typically stoic and says her doctor has promised she’ll be as good as new after a few weeks. Despite her health issues, Kiri remains active and has upcoming travel plans, including a trip to the UK and a cruise through the Scottish Isles.
Kiri’s Foundation and Legacy
Kiri is still deeply involved with her Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, which supports young singers in both the UK and NZ, and she can’t imagine ever giving that up. Lending her name and sponsorship to the Song Quest is an exciting new chapter for her and the foundation, which she established in 2003. The foundation provides a platform for young artists to launch their careers, and Kiri is committed to giving back to the community that has given her so much.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kiri Te Kanawa’s life is a testament to her dedication, passion, and generosity. From her early days as a young singer to her current role as a grandmother and philanthropist, Kiri has always been driven by a desire to give back to others. Her legacy continues to inspire and support young artists, and her commitment to her family and community is evident in everything she does. As she looks to the future, Kiri remains excited about the possibilities, and her enthusiasm is infectious. With her upcoming plans, including the inaugural Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest, Kiri is sure to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those around her.
